Family Services Practitioner

Part time 15 hours per week (fixed term contract - 3 years)
- Infant mental health and attachment informed Intensive Early Childhood Education and Care Program
- Unique opportunity supporting children living with significant adversity
- We are a located in a central part of Strathpine, close to public transport

**_This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to contribute significantly to research that could shape the future of the early childhood sector in Australia._**

**Where every child flourishes**

**C&K Dixon St Early Years Centre** is research childcare centre offering an intensive Early Childhood Education and Care program. It aims to address a critical gap in Australia’s early childhood education and care system, which is currently not set up to adequately support children living with severe levels of family stress and social disadvantage.

The objective of the intensive early childhood education and care program is that children living with significant adversity will experience a stable and enriching early learning and care program and enter school as confident and successful learners who are developmentally equal to their peers.

It is an exemplar model which aligns with C&K’s strategic priorities and the standards and values that are most dear to us as an organisation. The C&K Dixon Street Early Years Centre is one of three research sites in Australia and will be supported through coaching, mentoring and professional development from the Parkville Institute.

Working with team of qualified teachers, educators, and an infant mental health consultant you will contribute to an early learning environment that is safe, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of children, families, and educators.

We are now looking for a **Family Services Practitioner **to join our dedicated team to support the implementation of an intensive Early Childhood Education and Care program.

You will play a key leadership role within our new early years centre as part of a multidisciplinary senior leadership team. The Family Support Practitioner contributes specialist knowledge and skills in working with family and social systems to the enactment of the model with a particular focus on the family stress and social disadvantage experienced by children and their families. It is a collaborative endeavour involving expertise, inquiry and critical reflection.

**The Family Services Practitioner role with C&K includes**:

- Contribute to the implementation of an intensive early childhood education and care program using the knowledge and skill base of direct social casework practice with family and social systems.
- Providing a high quality, empathic, responsive, and effective casework response to children and families to support their participation in the program and navigate any potential barriers that might arise.
- Support the development of reciprocal and equitable partnerships with parents.
- In collaboration with other members of the senior leadership team, provide crisis intervention and brief intervention for families who present in distress / with crisis.
- Working collaboratively with families to assist them to navigate access to specialised services or community supports if required.
- In consultation with the staff team and the child's family, liaise with the statutory and voluntary services involved with children participating in the program as appropriate
- Within the parameters of the program and working closely with the Infant Mental Health consultant, understand and respond to families' emerging needs especially those related to the challenges of family violence, parental mental illness, alcohol and drug abuse, disability or complex needs, family violence, infant/child health issues and social isolation.

**Joining us will bring you**:

- A welcoming and collaborative team
- On going professional development, coaching and mentoring from the Parkville Institute
- Opportunity to contribute to research and practice that will change the life trajectories of children and families experiencing significant adversity.
- Access our comprehensive support services like our Employee Assistance Program.
- Salary packaging available.
- Holidays over the Christmas/ New Year Period (centre closes for two weeks)

**You will need to have**:

- Tertiary degree in Social Work or alternatively post graduate qualification in a related discipline (e.g. Psychology) with experience in working with children and families living with social adversity.
- At least seven years’ experience working as a social worker/psychologist or similar professional role.
- Eligibility for membership of relevant professional body and/or applicable registration /licence depending on professional qualifications.
- Paid Blue Card or Exemption Card
- A Police Check current within 3 months or willingness to obtain one.
- Current Covid vaccination certificate

**_Don't miss out on this chance to make a difference in the lives of children and have fun while d